Self-adjusting brassiere

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to a garment that is capable of providing additional comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. For example, the garment can be in the form of a brassiere having bra cups defined at least partially by a bra rim. Each of the bra cups includes an outer stretchable layer and an inner layer, and a bra wing supports the bra cups on a user. A stretchable component is located on each of the bra cups adjacent to at least a portion of the bra rims and attached to the inner layer. The stretchable component is made from a stretchable fabric and has a stretchability greater than the inner layer and less than the outer layer. The inner layer, the outer layer and the stretchable component are structured so as to allow the bra cups to expand to accommodate differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) across different shape and/or size groups.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a garment formed to provideincreased comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a brassiere that provides astretchable and/or customized fit to accommodate differently shapedand/or sized body portion(s) across different shape and/or size groupsto enhance comfort, support, and/or flexibility to many different users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garments are typically made in standard shapes and/or sizes, each ofwhich is intended to fit a group of users having similar body shapes andsizes. Within any shape and/or size group, the intended users maynevertheless have somewhat different heights and/or weights. As aresult, the standard shape and/or size system cannot comfortably fit allusers in the same shape and/or size group. This is particularly truewhen the garments are designed to fit closely on the users' bodies.

For example, brassieres are available in standard band sizes (e.g., 32to 42 inches) and cup sizes (e.g., AA to DD) to accommodate women ofdifferent body shapes and sizes. Brassieres of a selected band and/orcup size are intended to fit not only users of that particular shapeand/or size but also those whose actual bodily dimensions may fallbetween two standard shapes and/or two standard sizes. In view of thisphenomenon, the standard shapes and/or sizes will not comfortably fitall users.

Custom tailoring is a conventional technique used to fit a garment to aspecific user by first measuring the user, and then making, ormodifying, the garment according to the measurement. Although customtailoring can be employed to address the above-mentioned problem, thecost and effort associated with custom tailoring makes it impractical tosupply to the mass market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a garment that can be formed according toa standard shape and/or size system, yet capable of providing astretchable fit to accommodate different shapes and/or sizes occurringacross different shape and/or size group without significantlyincreasing cost. In particular, the present invention provides abrassiere that self-adjusts to a variety of different shape and sizeusers, while also providing the ability to continuously self-adjust tothat particular user when that user's body changes shape and/or sizesuch as when the wearer bends her body during various physicalactivities or changes occurring during natural physiological cycles,while enhancing comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user.

The present invention relates generally to a garment that providesadditional comfort, support, and/or flexibility to users acrossdifferent shape and/or size groups. For example, the garment can be inthe form of a brassiere having bra cups defined at least partially by abra rim. Each of the bra cups includes an outer stretchable layer and aninner layer, and a bra wing supports the bra cups on a user. Astretchable component is located on each of the bra cups adjacent to atleast a portion of the bra rims and attached to the inner layer. Thestretchable component is made from a stretchable fabric and has astretchability greater than the inner layer and less than the outerlayer. The inner layer, the outer layer and the stretchable componentare structured so as to allow the bra cups to expand to accommodatedifferently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) across different shapeand/or size groups.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the brassierecan also have the bra wings and bra straps made of a stretchable fabricsimilar to the outer layer of the bra cups. This will allow the brawings and bra straps expand to accommodate users across different shapeand/or size groups.

The inner layer, bra wings and bra straps are preferably made from astretchable fabric containing a fiber that has a high elongation and alow hysteresis, thereby providing a fabric with optimum stretching withless force and greater recovery power. This results in the wearerexperiencing little or no perceptible resistance to stretch movements,as well as a quick shape recovery so as to closely conform to the bodyof the wearer. It will be appreciated that the stretchable fabric can beknitted or woven or in the form of lace, embroidery, mesh, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shownin the drawings an illustrative form, it being understood however, thatthe invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is the front view of a brassiere according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a body-side view of the brassiere of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the brassiere taken along line I-I in FIG.2; and

FIG. 4 is a body-side view of a brassiere according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings where like numerals indicate likeelements, a brassiere constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention is shown and designated generally as 10. In thevarious embodiments illustrated, the garment of the present invention isshown as a brassiere 10. However, the present invention is not limitedto brassieres 10 and can be incorporated into other garments, including,for example, briefs, tops and other types of shapewear. Additionally theexemplary brassieres 10 shown in the drawings are not to be consideredlimiting in any manner. It will be appreciated that the various featuresdescribed herein may be used singly or in any combination thereof.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the brassiere 10 generallycomprises a pair of bra cups 12 and a bra wing 14. The bra cups 12 canbe joined to each other in the front either permanently, such as througha center fabric as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or releasably, such asthrough various conventional fasteners (not shown). The bra wing 14 canjoin the bra cups 12 in the back.

If desired, the brassiere 10 can be formed with one or more supportingelements to provide additional support to the user. For example, one ormore shoulder straps 16 can be provided and joined to the bra cups 12and the bra wing 14 in various conventional manners. A bra underwire 18(visible in FIG. 3) can be provided and encased in a wire channel 20formed at the bottom bra rim 22 of each of the bra cups 12. It will beappreciated that various other supporting elements can be employed inthe brassiere 10 to provide additional support, which are also withinthe scope of the present invention.

The bra cups 12 are preferably formed so as to have a multi-layerstructure, such as including outer layers 12 a and inner layers 12 b. Inthe preferred construction, the outer layers 12 a and the inner layers12 b are attached to each other only along the outer edges, orperiphery, of the bra cups. This allows each of the outer and innerlayers to move freely with respect to each other within almost all of aregion contacting the wearer. This assists the fabric layers to moreeasily conform to the individual shape and/or size of the wearer.

The outer layer 12 a is preferably made of a fabric containing a fiberthat has a high elongation and a low hysteresis, thereby providing afabric with optimum stretching with less force and greater recoverypower. As a result of the low force required for stretching, the wearerexperiences little or no perceptible resistance to stretch movements. Asa result of the low hysteresis characteristic of the fabric layermaterial, the fabric quickly recovers its shape and closely conforms tothe body of the wearer. That is, the fabric of the outer layer 12 aconforms and maintains contact with the body of the wearer throughout awide range of movements by the wearer. A non-limiting example of anelastomeric fabric that is applicable to the present invention is fabriccontaining LYCRA® T902C spandex. LYCRA® T902C spandex is aco-polyether-based, clear spandex with high elongation and relativelyflat stress/strain behavior. Such a fabric can be composed of anylon/elastane material blend, for example, a 58% nylon/42% elastanefabric available from Best Pacific Textile Ltd. as item number 12765MS1.

The material of the outer layer 12 a preferably has an elongation in arange from about 95% to about 153% in either or both of the length andwidth directions under an 8.8 lb load. In another example, the fabric ofthe outer layer 12 a also preferably has a modulus in the range fromabout 1.2 to about 2.1 when the elongation of the material is about 40%.

The inner layer 12 b can be formed from a material that is lessstretchable than the outer layer so as to provide a desired shapingeffect to the user. In one example, the inner layer 12 b can include apadding material, such as a foam material with a polyester fabric liner,to provide a desired shape and enhanced support to the user. In yetanother example, the inner layer 12 b can be a semi-rigid fabric thathas a limited stretchability, i.e., a limited elongation and/or modulus,to maintain the predetermined shape of the fabric. Such a fabric can becomposed of a nylon/elastane material blend, for example, a 72%nylon/28% elastane fabric available from Ruey Tay as item number D3051.The material of the inner layer 12 b also preferably has an elongationin a range from about 0%, where the material is substantiallynon-stretchable, to about 115% in either or both of the length and widthdirections under a 10 lb load. The material of the inner layer 12 b alsopreferably has a modulus in the range from about 1.5 to about 2.6 whenthe elongation of the material is about 40%.

A stretchable component 24 is also provided on the inner portion of thebra cup 12, and attached between the inner layer 12 b and the bottom brarim 22. The stretchable component 24 is preferably formed of a materialthat is more stretchable than that of the material forming the innerlayer 12 b, such as a power mesh fabric available from Ruey Tay underitem number 16006SR. The material of the stretchable component 24preferably has an elongation in a range from about 50% to about 130% ineither or both of the length and width directions under an 8.8 lb load.The material of the stretchable component 24 also preferably has amodulus in the range from about 0.9 to about 2.5 when the elongation ofthe material is about 30%. The stretchable component 24 so formed canexpand to provide a stretchable fit to different shaped and/or sizedbody portions across different shape and/or size groups while allowingthe inner layer 12 b to remain substantially unchanged and to maintainits predetermined shape.

The stretchable component 24 can also be formed into various shapes andsizes. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable component 24can have a crescent shape. In another example shown in FIG. 4, thestretchable component 24 can be in a wedge shape and located adjacent toa side portion of a bra cup 12. The stretchable component 24 preferablyforms from about 5% to about 50%, or most preferably from about 5% toabout 30%, of the area of the inner portion of the bra cup 12. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stretchable component 24 is about 20% ofthe area of the inner portion of the bra cup 12.

The stretchable component 24 can be joined to the other portion(s) ofthe brassiere 10 in various ways. For example, the inner layer 12 b, thestretchable component 24 and the bottom bra rim 22 can be sewn togetherby various conventional methods, or formed as a single piece of materialbut with different (i.e., varying) stretchabilities. It will beappreciated that the stretchable component 24 can be formed and/orjoined to the bra cups 12 in various other ways, such as attachmentdirectly to the wire channel 20, which are also within the scope of thepresent invention.

The elongations of materials discussed herein were measured under thenoted load during the third cycle at the outgoing stretch, similar tothe various test procedures specified in the ASTM D4964 Standard. Aswill be understood, the aforementioned elongation or modulus ranges aremerely examples and are not limiting.

The bra wing 14 of the brassiere 10 can be formed in various manners.For example, the bra wing 14 can be formed as a single continued piece(not shown) or two separate pieces releasably joined to each other. Eachbra wing 14 can have front and rear end portions 26 and 28. Each of thefront end portions 26 of the bra wing 14 can be adapted to join to oneof the bra cups 12 in various manners. The rear end portions 28 can beadapted to join to each other in various ways, such as by variousfasteners 30. In another embodiment, the single continuous wing (notshown) can have its free ends joined to the bra cups 12, which arereleasably joined to each other in the front of the brassiere. It willbe appreciated that various the bra wing 14 can be formed in variousother manners, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the inner layer 12 b is less stretchable than thestretchable component 24 and less stretchable than the outer layer 12 a,and the outer layer 12 a is preferably the same as or more stretchablethan the stretchable component 24. The bra wing and optional shoulderstraps are also preferably formed of a fabric containing the samestretchable fiber as the outer layer 12 a. This combination of stretchcharacteristics in the fabrics of the various brassiere componentsunexpectedly provides a brassiere with a stretchable and/or customizedfit that accommodates differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s)across different shape and/or size groups to enhance comfort, support,and/or flexibility to many different users.

There are many unexpected advantages to the above-describedconstruction. Namely, the use of the fabrics in the inner layer, outerlayer, stretchable component, bra wing and straps creates a brassierethat fits many users across different shape and/or size groups. Forexample, brassieres can be made in a standard sizes 34B, 34C and 34D,and comfortably flex and self-adjust to fit wearers across sizes 34A,36A, 32C and 34B (for the 34B size); across sizes 34C, 36B, 38A and 36C(for the 34C size); and across sizes 34D, 36D, 34D and 38C (for the 34Dsize). This in turn allows a manufacturer to greatly reduce the numberof items in the product line, and thus significantly reducemanufacturing costs.

Although the above description of the present invention is made inconnection with an exemplary article of garment in the form of abrassiere, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the presentinvention is applicable to various other articles of garments including,but not limited to, briefs, tops and other shapewear garments.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that variousadditions, modifications, and substitutions may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as definedin the accompanying claims. Therefore, the present invention is notlimited to only the embodiments specifically described herein. Inparticular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures,arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, andcomponents, without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that theinvention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in thepractice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specificenvironments and operative requirements without departing from theprinciples of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodimentis therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims, and not limited to the foregoing description.

1. A brassiere comprising: bra cups and a bra wing for supporting thebra cups on a user, the bra cups each comprising: a stretchable outerlayer; an inner layer; and a stretchable component attached to the innerlayer, the stretchable component having a stretchability greater thanthe inner layer and less than or the same as the outer layer, whereinthe stretchable outer layer is attached to the inner layer and thestretchable component along a periphery of the bra cups.
 2. Thebrassiere of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is formed so as to definea predetermined shape and maintain the predetermined shape during theuse of the brassiere.
 3. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the innerlayer comprises a foam material.
 4. The brassiere of claim 1, whereinthe stretchable component comprises up about 5% to about 30% of an innerarea of a respective cup of the bra cups.
 5. The brassiere of claim 1,wherein the inner layer is made of a material having an elongationbetween about 0% to about 115% under a 10 lb load.
 6. The brassiere ofclaim 1, wherein the stretchable component is made of a material havingan elongation between about 50% to about 130% under an 8.8 lb load. 7.The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the stretchable outer layer is made ofa material having an elongation between about 95% to about 153% under an8.8 lb load.
 8. The brassiere of claim 1, further comprising bra strapsconnected to the bra wing and the bra cups.
 9. A brassiere comprising:bra cups each being defined at least partially by a bra rim, each of thebra cups including an outer stretchable layer and an inner layer; a brawing for supporting the bra cups on a user; and a stretchable componentlocated on each of the bra cups adjacent to at least a portion of thebra rims and attached to the inner layer, the stretchable componentcomprising a stretchable fabric, the stretchable component having astretchability greater than the inner layer and less than the outerlayer, wherein the inner layer, the outer layer and the stretchablecomponent are structured so as to allow the bra cups to expand toaccommodate differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) acrossdifferent shape and/or size groups.
 10. The brassiere of claim 9,wherein the stretchable component is joined to a portion of the brarims.
 11. The brassiere of claim 9 further comprising: a wire channelformed along at least a portion of each bra rim; and a bra underwireencased in the wire channel, wherein the stretchable component is joinedto the wire channel.
 12. The brassiere of claim 9, wherein the innerlayer is formed so as to define a predetermined shape and maintain thepredetermined shape during the use of the brassiere.
 13. The brassiereof claim 9, wherein the inner layer comprises a foam material.
 14. Thebrassiere of claim 9, wherein the stretchable component comprises upabout 5% to about 30% of an inner area of a respective cup of the bracups.
 15. The brassiere of claim 9, wherein the inner layer is made of amaterial having an elongation between about 0% to about 115% under a 10lb load.
 16. The brassiere of claim 9, wherein the stretchable componentis made of a material having an elongation between about 50% to about130% under an 8.8 lb load.
 17. The brassiere of claim 9, wherein theouter layer is made of a material having an elongation between about 95%to about 153% under an 8.8 lb load.
 18. The brassiere of claim 9,further comprising bra straps connected to the bra wing and the bracups.